Eight youths have been arrested in some parts of South East Zone for allegedly vandalising equipment belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)
Disclosing this to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, the Head, Communication of EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said the incident happened between October and November, this year.
Ezeh called on EEDC customers to be more vigilant during the yuletide to avoid being subjected to darkness and to safeguard the power installations serving them from vandals.
According to him, there had been reports of vandalism of transformers from some locations within EEDC’s network.
According to him, the duo of Chizaram Samuel and Okechukwu Nwaeze, both from Umuokorokwu of Aba District, together with a buyer identified as Yaya Mohammed were arrested by the youths of Umuokorokwu community for vandalizing a 500KVA transformer belonging to EEDC.
At Umuagu Village in Nnobi, Anambra State, a suspect identified as Nwalieoba along with his accomplice identified as Ikenna Enyinnaya were arrested by men of Umuagu Village Nnobi Vigilante Team while attempting to vandalize Umuagu 2 transformer. Items recovered from them include spanners, pliers and jack knife.
Also, in Nimo community, Anambra State, vigilante group apprehended one Ebuka Efuba while vandalising a transformer located at Awada Area of Nimo.
Okwuchukwu Okonkwo, a native of Umueze village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was arrested by the vigilante team at the boundary of Umueze/Awka village in Ihiala, for vandalizing NIPP Aluminum cable measuring about three spans of 100mm2.
Ezeh confirmed that the suspects have been handed over to the respective police stations for further interrogation and prosecution.
In a related development, Ikenna Ebere Uguru was arraigned at the Magistrate Court 6, Umuahia on a two-count charge, for vandalizing Okwuta 300KVA 11/0.415kv Substation. Ikenna was subsequently remanded at Afara Correctional Centre, Umuahia.
“Vandalism is a major challenge that negatively impacts on our operations and there is no way we can sustain our operations and deliver quality and improved service to our customers if this situation is not brought under control.
“We commend the efforts of the various communities and their youths, government security agencies and local vigilante groups in the fight against vandalism; we call on our customers and the general public to join in this fight towards the eradication of the menace.”
“There is no way we can sustain our operations and deliver quality and improved service to our customers if this situation is not brought under control”, he stated.
